WikiGIS Basic Concepts: Web 2.0 for Geospatial Collaboration
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. General Context: Geocollaboration in the GeoWeb 2.0 Era
2.1. GeoWeb 2.0: A Socio-Technical Platform for Geo-information Coproduction and Sharing
2.2. Geocollaboration in the Era of GeoWeb 2.0
2.3. The Wikification of Geographical Information
Indicators | Wikis | WikiGIS |
---|---|---|
Data access | Web server (Apache) | Web server (http) |
Storage | MySQL, Oracle | Spatial DB (MySQL…) |
Formatting pages | Simple markup language | GML, MWX: formats allowing both description of geographic data and their transfer on the Web |
Type of edition | Asynchronous | Synchronous, redlining type |
Types of data | Text, image, sound, video | Geometric data (point, line, polyline, polygon), descriptive and graphic data |
Decoding the information | Minimal | More complex |
Display of data | HTML | - Geometric data: AJAX |
- Descriptive data: HTML | ||
Historicity management | Wiki browser | - Descriptive data: by wiki syntax (wiki browser) |
- Geometric data: by file, indexation, spatial DB |
3. The Solution Proposed: WikiGIS
3.1. WikiGIS Interface
- - Through the consultation of a situation status at a given time (t) [6];
- - Through the consultation of the advancement of a situation between two given times (t1) and (t2) via a linear temporal slider [7];
- - Through the consultation of the descriptive information and of the history of a selected item [8].
- - The creation of new objects [9];
- - The modification of existing objects (modification of the geometric component (shape, location); modification of the descriptive component; modification of both components).
3.2. Prototype Architecture and Operation
- - The WikiGIS HTTP server (Apache/PHP) manages the website pages, and hosts the code files on which the prototype is based. The latter communicates with the database via SQL queries to send and receive geometry- or user-related information, in order to transfer it to the client workstation. It acts as a communication intermediary between the client and the database.
- - The MySQL database of the WikiGIS allows geometric and attributive components of each entity (points, polylines, polygons) to be stored and tracked. Its purpose is to store all the information necessary to the operation of the WikiGIS; that is to say, users’ data (family name and given name…), geometric data and descriptive data (in text format) associated with the geometry.
3.3. WikiGIS Features
- - Three tables storing user-related data (users, connection and country)
- - Four tables storing the geometric and descriptive components (points, polylines, polygons and comments)
- - A unique identifier: to identify individually and unambiguously each object, as well as each version of an object.
- - An entity identifier, which is the same for all the versions of the same object.
3.3.1. User Management
3.3.2. Managing Traceability of the Geometric Component
- - The point, identified by a number, is characterized by its position (latitude and longitude), creation date, author and zoom level at which it becomes visible on the map. Other characteristics can be added, such as the type of icon or opacity.
- - The polyline entity is characterized by the position of its tips, its creation date, author and zoom level at which it becomes visible on the map.
- - The polygon entity has the same characteristics as the polylines.
- - Configuration 1: The consultation date being earlier than the creation date of the point (…085), the query returns no object. The database has no point with a creation date earlier than the display date.
- - Configuration 2: A current version of an object appears (object 16). When the user clicks on it, the icon turns green to indicate that it is active. No other marker appears at this stage, because there are no prior versions.
- - Configuration 3: The object has been moved. Therefore, it has two versions. The green icon (object 17) indicates that the point is active. The earlier version (object 16) appears in blue. It corresponds to the current version in configuration 2. This geometry is associated with an earlier version in configuration 3.
- - Configuration 4: the point has been moved again, which generated a new version of the object (object 18). At this stage, there are two earlier versions of the entity (object 16 and 17).
3.3.3. Managing Traceability of the Descriptive Component
3.4. Use Case as Proof of Concept
3.4.1. Creation of a New Bus Stop and Modification of Its Installation
3.4.2. Addition of a New Bus Line and Modification of Its Route
4. Conclusions
- - Management and dynamic traceability capacities of the graphic component. Other characteristics could be added such as style or weight of a line, transparency, etc.,
- - Adding screen tips on markers,
- - Adding complementary characteristics regarding the contributors (technical level, dependability, personal information, history, as well as a level of confidence in their own contributions),
- - Expanding the current metadata fields in order to ensure compliance with international spatial data metadata standards (e.g., ISO 19115),
- - Capacities to integrate multimedia items into comments,
- - A system for the collective assessment of the contributions, based on a voting system or a consensus-building mechanism (such as Delphi for instance),
- - Formal project management capabilities to efficiently support authoritative projects,
- - Creating of a hierarchy of users (with the possibility to change level depending on the contributions, as in forums or Wikimapia for example),
- - The possibility to modify a contribution (such as deletion),
- - Displaying users’ contributions,
- - The possibility to import (and export) GIS files (interoperability between standard formats and GeoWeb formats),
- - Replacement of the linear temporal slider by a temporal query tool that takes into account a non-linear conception of time (system of temporal trees for example).
Acknowledgments
References
- Herring, C. An Architecture of Cyberspace: Spatialization of the Internet; U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory: Champaign, IL, USA, 1994. [Google Scholar]
- Tapscott, D.; Williams, A.D. Wikinomics: Wikipédia, Linux, You Tube–: Comment L'intelligence Collaborative Bouleverse L'économie; Pearson/Village mondial: Paris, France, 2007. [Google Scholar]
- Goodchild, M.F. Citizens as voluntary sensors: Spatial data infrastructure in the world of Web 2.0. Int. J. Spat. Data infrastruct. Res. 2007, 2, 24–32. [Google Scholar]
- Haklay, M.; Singleton, A.; Parker, C. Web Mapping 2.0: The Neogeography of the GeoWeb. Geogr. Compass 2008, 2, 2011–2039. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Crampton, J. Mapping without a Net: Neogreography in the 21st century. Global GIS Academy. Virtual Seminar Session: Neogeography. Available online: www.slideshare.net/ubikcan/ crampton-ggisa-presentation-686101 (accessed on 5 March 2012).
- Rinner, C.; Kessler, C.; Andrulis, S. The use of Web 2.0 concepts to support deliberation in spatial decision-making. Comput. Environ. Urban Syst. 2008, 32, 386–395. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Brent Hall, G.; Chipeniukb, R.; Feick, R.D.; Leahy, M.G.; Depardaye, V. Community-based production of geographic information using open source software and Web 2.0. Int. J. Geogr. Inf. Sci. 2009, 24, 661–781. [Google Scholar]
- Roche, S. De la cartographie participative aux WikiSIG. In Les SIG au Service du Développement Territorial; Walser, O., Thévoz, L., Joerin, F., Schuler, M., Joost, S., Debarbieux, B., Dao, H., Eds.; Presses polytechniques et universitaires romandes: Lausanne, Switzerland, 2011; pp. 117–129. [Google Scholar]
- Scharl, A.; Tochtermann, K. The Geospatial Web: How Geobrowsers, Social Software and the Web 2.0 Are Shaping the Network Society; Springer: London, UK, 2007. [Google Scholar]
- Sample, J.; Shaw, K.; Shengru, T.; Mahdi, A. Geospatial Services and Applications for the Internet; Springer: New York, NY, USA, 2008. [Google Scholar]
- Hudson-Smith, A.; Crooks, A.; Gibin, M. NeoGeography and Web 2.0: Concepts, tools and applications. J. Locat. Based Serv. 2009, 3, 118–145. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Dodge, M.; Kitchin, R.; Perkins, C. Rethinking Maps. New Frontiers in Cartographic Theory; Routledge: London, UK, 2009. [Google Scholar]
- Haklay, M. Interacting with Geospatial Technologies; J. Wiley & Sons: Chichester, UK, 2010. [Google Scholar]
- Deitel, P.; Deitel, H. AJAX, Rich Internet Applications, and Web Development for Programmers; Pearson Prentice Hall: Upper Saddle River, NJ, USA, 2008. [Google Scholar]
- Cetin, H. Geographic Information Systems and the Internet. In The Internet Encyclopedia; Bigdoli, H., Ed.; Wiley: New York, NY, USA, 2004; Volume 2, pp. 23–37. [Google Scholar]
- Coleman, D.J.; Georgiadou, Y.; Labonte, J. Volunteered Geographic Information: The nature and motivation of produsers. Int. J. Spat. Data Infrastruct. Res. 2009, 4, 332–358. [Google Scholar]
- Bruns, A. Blogs, Wikipedia, Second Life, and Beyond. From Production to Produsage; Peter Lang: New York, NY, USA, 2008. [Google Scholar]
- Borghoff, M.; Schlichter, J.H. Computer-Supported Cooperative Work: Introduction to Distributed Applications; Springer: Berlin, Germany, 2000. [Google Scholar]
- Levan, S.K.; Vickoff, J.P. Travail Collaboratif sur Internet: Concepts, Méthodes et Pratiques des Plateaux Projet; Vuibert: Paris, France, 2004. [Google Scholar]
- Pornon, H.; Noucher, M. Bilan et perspective de 20 années de géomatique: Vers des SIG plus collaboratifs, la Géo-collaboration. Géomatique Expert 2007, 58, 56–60. [Google Scholar]
- Jankowski, P.; Nyerges, T.L.; Smith, A.; Moore, T.J.; Horvath, E. Spatial group choice: A SDSS tool for collaborative spatial decision-making. Int. J. Geogr. Inf. Sci. 1997, 11, 577–602. [Google Scholar]
- MacEachren, A.M. Cartography and GIS: Extending collaborative tools to support virtual teams. Prog. Hum. Geogr. 2001, 25, 431–444. [Google Scholar]
- Jankowski, P.; Nyerges, T.L. Geographic Information Systems for Group Decision Making: Towards a Participatory, Geographic Information Science; Taylor & Francis: London, UK, 2001. [Google Scholar]
- MacEachren, A.M.; Brewer, I. Developing a conceptual framework for visually-enabled geocollaboration. Int. J. Geogr. Inf. Sci. 2004, 18, 1–34. [Google Scholar]
- Balram, S.; Dragicevic, S. Collaborative Geographic Information Systems; Idea Group Inc.: London, UK, 2006. [Google Scholar]
- Hopfer, S.; MacEachren, A.M. Leveraging the potential of geospatial annotations for collaboration: A communication theory perspective. Int. J. Geogr. Inf. Sci. 2007, 21, 921–934. [Google Scholar]
- Sidlar, C.; Rinner, C. Utility assessment of a map-based online geo-collaboration tool. J. Environ. Manag. 2009, 90, 2020–2026. [Google Scholar]
- Maiyo, L.; Kerle, N.; Köbben, B. Collaborative Post-disaster Damage Mapping via Geo Web Services. In Geographic Information and Cartography for Risk and Crises Management: Towards Better Solutions; Konecny, M., Zlatanova, S., Bandrova, T.L., Eds.; Springer: New York, NY, USA, 2010; pp. 221–231. [Google Scholar]
- Noucher, M. Coproduction de données géographiques: du compromis au consensus... différencié. Conditions et démarches participatives pour produire ensemble des données sur le territoire. Rev. Int. Géomat. 2008, 18, 471–492. [Google Scholar]
- Beyerlein, M.; McGee, C.; Klein, G.; Nemiro, J.; Broedling, L. The Collaborative Work Systems Fieldbook: Strategies, Tools, and Techniques; Jossey-Bass/Pfeiffer: San Francisco, CA, USA, 2003. [Google Scholar]
- Dillenbourg, P.; Huang, J.; Cherubini, M. Interactive Artifacts and Furniture Supporting Collaborative Work and Learning; Springer: New York, NY, USA, 2009. [Google Scholar]
- Blaise, J.-Y.; Dudeck, I. Modélisation informationnelle: Un cadre méthodologique pour représenter des connaissances évolutives spatiales. RNTI-E 2006, 6, 347–358. [Google Scholar]
- Leuf, B.; Cunningham, W. The Wiki Way: Quick Collaboration on the Web; Addison-Wesley: Boston, MA, USA, 2001. [Google Scholar]
- West, J.A.; West, M.L. Using Wikis for Online Collaboration: The Power of the Read-Write Web, 1st ed; Jossey-Bass: San Francisco, CA, USA, 2009. [Google Scholar]
- Ebersbach, A.; Glaser, M.; Heigl, R.; Dueck, G. Wiki: Web Collaboration; Springer: Berlin, Germany, 2008. [Google Scholar]
- Longley, P.; Goodchild, M.F.; Maguire, D.J.; Rhind, D.W. Geographic Information Systems and Science, 2nd ed; John Wiley and Sons: New York, NY, USA, 2005. [Google Scholar]
- Sui, D. The Wikification of GIS and its consequences: Or Angelina Jolie's new tatoo and the future of GIS. Comput. Environ. Urban Syst. 2008, 32, 1–5. [Google Scholar]
- Ciobanu, L.D.; Roche, S.; Badar, T.; Caron, C. Du Wiki au WikiSIG. Geomatica 2007, 61, 137–145. [Google Scholar]
- Flanagin, A.; Metzger, M. The credibility of volunteered geographic information. GeoJournal 2008, 72, 137–148. [Google Scholar]
- Grira, J.; Bedard, Y.; Roche, S. Spatial data uncertainty in the VGI world: Going from consumer to producer. Geomatica 2010, 64, 61–71. [Google Scholar]
- Haklay, M. How good is volunteered geographical information? A comparative study of OpenStreetMap and Ordnance Survey datasets. Environ. Plan. B: Plan. Des. 2010, 37, 682–703. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Haklay, M.; Basiouka, S.; Antoniou, V.; Ather, A. How many volunteers does it take to map an area well? The validity of linus’ law to volunteered geographic information. Cartogr. J. 2010, 47, 315–322. [Google Scholar]
© 2012 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open-access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/).
Share and Cite
Roche, S.; Mericskay, B.; Batita, W.; Bach, M.; Rondeau, M. WikiGIS Basic Concepts: Web 2.0 for Geospatial Collaboration. Future Internet 2012, 4, 265-284. https://doi.org/10.3390/fi4010265
Roche S, Mericskay B, Batita W, Bach M, Rondeau M. WikiGIS Basic Concepts: Web 2.0 for Geospatial Collaboration. Future Internet. 2012; 4(1):265-284. https://doi.org/10.3390/fi4010265
Chicago/Turabian StyleRoche, Stéphane, Boris Mericskay, Wided Batita, Matthieu Bach, and Mathieu Rondeau. 2012. "WikiGIS Basic Concepts: Web 2.0 for Geospatial Collaboration" Future Internet 4, no. 1: 265-284. https://doi.org/10.3390/fi4010265
APA StyleRoche, S., Mericskay, B., Batita, W., Bach, M., & Rondeau, M. (2012). WikiGIS Basic Concepts: Web 2.0 for Geospatial Collaboration. Future Internet, 4(1), 265-284. https://doi.org/10.3390/fi4010265